jingo

[ jing-goh ]

noun

, plural jin·goes.

1. a person who professes their patriotism loudly and excessively, favoring vigilant preparedness for war and an aggressive foreign policy; bellicose chauvinist.
2. English History. a Conservative supporter of British Prime Minister Disraeli's policy in Turkey during the period 1877–78.

adjective

1. of jingoes.
2. characterized by jingoism.

jingo

/ ˈdʒɪŋɡəʊ /

noun

1. a loud and bellicose patriot; chauvinist
2. jingoism
3. by jingo
   an exclamation of surprise

Derived Forms

• ˈjingoish, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of jingo¹

First recorded in 1660–70; originally conjurer's call hey jingo! “appear! come forth!” (opposed to hey presto! hasten away!), taken into general use in the phrase by Jingo, euphemism for by God; chauvinistic sense from by Jingo in political song supporting use of British forces against Russia in 1878

Word History and Origins

Origin of jingo¹

C17: originally perhaps a euphemism for Jesus; applied to bellicose patriots after the use of by Jingo! in the refrain of a 19th-century music-hall song

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. by jingo! Informal. (an exclamation used to emphasize the truth or importance of a foregoing statement, or to express astonishment, approval, etc.):

   I know you can do it, by jingo!

Example Sentences

“Py Jingo!” was Hans’s contribution.

From Literature

“Py jingo! I t’ink so mineself,” Hans affirmed.

From Literature

In an 1899 letter, James made it clear that he did not approve of Kipling’s more blustery talk of the “white man’s burden” and so on: “I wish he would hearken a bit more to his deeper human self and a bit less to his shallower jingo self. If the Anglo-Saxon race would drop its sniveling cant it would have a good deal less of a ‘burden’ to carry.”

From New York Times

“By jingo, we can get them now,” cried one of the men.

From Literature

"In a democracy everybody speaks,” said Dad, "so, by jingo, start speaking.”

From Literature